Interpreting services are provided by the court for defendants and defense witnesses in criminal cases, pursuant to the Court Interpreters Act (Title 28, U.S.C. § 1827). The only types of civil cases where the court may provide interpreting services are cases filed under 28 U.S.C. 2254 and 2255, and specific provisions of the Hague Convention.
If you have any questions regarding the provision of court interpreting services, please contact Rachel Albin, Supervisory Interpreter, at Rachel_Albin@nmd.uscourts.gov.
Contract Interpreters
Useful Information and Resources
- Court Interpreter's Act
- Administrative Office of the United States Courts - Federal Court Interpreters
- Guide to Judiciary Policy, Vol: 5 Court Interpreting
- Standards for Performance and Professional Responsibility
- AO Federal Court Interpreter Orientation Manual and Glossary
- New Mexico Translators and Interpreters Association
- National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators
- American Translators Association
- New Mexico Center for Language Access (NMCLA)
- Federal Court Interpreter Examination Certification (FCICE)
Persons with Communication Disabilities
It is the policy of the federal judiciary to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with communication disabilities, which encompasses providing sign language interpreters or other auxiliary aids and services to those appearing before the Court who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or have communication disabilities. Some circumstances may require a judge to make a determination that such services are appropriate.
The Court's Access Coordinator will work with the requesting party and the deciding official on all such requests for accommodation. Please reach out to the Access Coordinator (AccessCoordinator@nmd.uscourts.gov) to obtain further information on available services or to request an accommodation using the procedures below.
Note: In order to allow sufficient time for a request to be reviewed, your request should be made at least three (3) weeks prior to your scheduled proceeding.
Additional information can be found under Court Interpreting Guidance on the U.S. Courts website (Guide to Judiciary Policy, Vol. 5, § 255).